GPS route: Helvellyn

Roling forests, machine-built singletrack, cosy visitor centres; has mountain biking in the 21st century gone soft? We put the mountain back into mountain biking and go in search of adventure on Britain’s highest peaks.

The three mountains in my sights are Helvellyn (950m) – England’s highest bridleway-accessed peak – Snowdon (1085m) in Wales and Ben Nevis (1344m) in Scotland – Britain’s tallest mountain. To keep things simple I decided to attempt them in order of height. I would tackle them as I would climb a mountain: from the bottom up.